VOA Dari (Translated by RAWA), January 16, 2013

A 15-year old Girl raped in Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs

...two weeks back, four women in Daikundi province committed suicide in one week due to domestic violence, forced engagement and marriage, and poverty

By Zafar Bamyani

Officials in a human rights office in Daikundi province say that a 15-year old girl was raped in the Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs of this province. Six guards of this office have been arrested on suspicions of being involved.

It is not yet clear whether the girl was gang-raped or raped turn by turn, but local authorities have said that her condition is not serious. They also said that if needed the girl will be sent to Kabul for treatment.

Razaq Ilkhani, the police chief of Daikundi said, “It is not yet confirmed, but all the people accused, peons and guards, are all in the Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs and after investigations we will find out (whether it was gang-rape or just rape).”

Jawad Daadgar, the head of the provincial Independent Human Rights Commission, told Ashna Radio of VOA, “The people mainly accused in the case, along with five others who are counted as accessories, have all been caught and arrested.”

Orphan Child

The rape victim is said to be an orphan child who had been sent from the Center for Educating Children in Daikundi to the Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs so that she could be looked after in a ‘safe house’. This 15-year old girl who didn’t want her name to be revealed, belongs to the Sange Takhat district of Daikundi.

Habiba Shujayee, supervisor of the Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs told Ashna Radio that steps have been taken to fully investigate the case, “According to law, we will support this victim. We have also informed all the legal and judicial bodies to seriously follow the case.”

On Wednesday, the police detained all the male workers of the Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs and closed the site of the incident.

Rape in the Directorship Department of Women’s Affairs is reported while two weeks back, four women in Daikundi province committed suicide in one week due to domestic violence, forced engagement and marriage, and poverty.